Short circuiting switch



R. C. BIGELOW snow CIRCUITING SWITCH Filed Dec. 8, 1930 June 27, 1933.

Jami,

A TTORNE Y Patented June 27, 193$ UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RALPH C.BIGI LOW, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA vBEOB'I CIBCUITING SWI'IOHApplication fled December a, 1m. Serial No. 500,817.

The main object of the invention is to provide a switch which willinterrupt the high tension ignition circuit of an automotive .vehicle inthe event of dangerous tilting or turning over of such vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device as outlined whichma be included in the horn or audible signacircuit so as to cause suchsignal to operate continuously in the event of turning over of thevehicle.

' A further object of the invention is to provide a device as outlinedwhich will operate irres ective of the direction in which it is til beinuniversally operative. Other ob ects and advantages of the inventionwill be readily apparent as the description is read on the drawingforming a part ofthis specification. i

The invention consists primarily of an inverted conical shell ofconductive material, the base of the cone terminating at and continuinginto a cylindrical collar, into which is secured a ring of insulatingmaterial A cylindrical member of conductive material fits within thering and has a bottom of conical form of eaterangularity than saidconical shell. erminal connectors are in electrical contact respectivelywith the cylindrical member and cylindrical collar, and a conductiveball is freely disposedin the apex of the conical shell. A mountingbracket is integral with or fixed to the cylindrical collar.

The invention is adequately illustrated in the accompanying drawlng inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the invention;

Fig. 4 is a sectional elevation showing the interior construction 'andcooperative relation of the parts;

Fig. 5 is a wiring diagram applied to the invention.

Similar reference characters are used to designate similar partsthroughout the several views.

A conical shell is formed by drawing, spinning or turning a conductivematerial,

continuing the base of the cone into a c lin drical collar 11, ontowhich is connecte one or more terminal binding posts 12. A mountingbracket 13 of suitable form is provided for attachment to a part of thevehicle, an

insulating block 14 being provided where the device is attached to metalportions of the vehicle.

A ring 15 formed of insulating material is secured within thecylindrical collar 11 and provides, a seat for the cooperating switch.member 16, which has a cover portion 17 to which is connected aterminal bindingpost 18, and a cylindrical portion 19 having a shoulder20 for seating on the insulating 001- lar 15. The bottom is toroidallyformed at 20 extending into a conical depending portion 21 having agreater included angle than member 10.

The toroidal portion provides a ball raceway which will retain a ball inbridging contact between the cooperating contact members during anyrolling action of the switch other than in a direction toward rightingthereof.

A contact ball 22 of conductive materia is adapted to roll along theinner surface 23 of member 19 to the position shown at 24 when thevehicle is tilted at an angle making contact between the inside of wall23 and arcuate portion 20 through ball 22.

The wiring diagram Fig. 5 indicates an operative method of connectingthe device in the electrical circuit for interrupting the ignition andoperating the audible signal or horn in the event of turning over of thevehicle. The main advantage exists in the fact that in the event ofaccident, such as a vehicle plun 'ng over a bank, or leaving the roadwayand turning over in a heavy fog, the accident might not be known ornoticed and continued running of the engine might readily cause the carto take fire, while with the invention installed, a continuous loudsignal emitted by the horn would attract attention of any within theaudible 11m:

while interruption of the motor ignition circuit would instantly stopthe motor.

The wiring diagram may be modified without detracting from the merit ofthe device, but is indicated in its simplest operative form, andconsists of the usual distributor 25, spark plugs 26, breaker 27ignition coil 28, born 29, born push button 30 and battery 31, togetherwith the usual wire connections and ignition switch 32, all of whichdoes not form a part of the invention but is the usual standard ignitionequipment. The device does not interfere with the usual and regularoperation of the horn and motor which are hooked up in individualcircuits, the horn being operated by closing of the switch or operationof the push button 30 which compietes a circuit from battery 31 throughwire 83. horn 29, switch 30 to ground.

The motor circuit is from battery 31, ignition switch 32, breaker 27,primary 34 of ignition coil 28 to ground by the interruption of whichthrough breaker 27 a high potential is set up in the secondary 35 whichpasses to the distributor arm 36., to shoes 37 thence to spark plugs 26and across the gap to ground.

No changes are made in the existing wiring with my invention simplyrequiring a connection from the negative terminal 38 of born 28 to cone10 through one of the terminals 12, and another connection from thenegative side 39 of the ignition switch 27 to member 16 through bindingpost 18.

In the event of dangerous tilting of the vehicle, ball 22 rolls alongsurface 10 to the position shown at 24 completing a circuit from member10 to member 21. A circuit is thus completed through battery 31, wire33, horn 29, member 10, ball 22, member 21. wire 40, primary 34, toground, coincidently shorting the breaker 27 through switch 32,

wire 33, horn 38. member 10. ball 22, member 21, wire 40. If the horn isoperated by an electro-magnet with interrupter. a flux will be set up insecondary but there will be a rapid succession of sparks across thespark plugs in succession. and as there will be extreme pre-ignition.the motor will be stalled, as it is impossible for a motor to operateunder such conditions, and the breaker 97 will not be effective.

Having described the construction and operation of the device-it will beunderstood that variations in construction and arrangement of partswhich are consistent with the appended claims may be resorted to withoutdetracting from the spirit or scope of the invention or sacrificing anyof its advan-' tages.

I claim:

1. A gravitationally operated switch comprising a housing of conicalform having a cylindrical portion extending from the base thereof, aconductive ball freely disposed in said housing, a ring of insulatingmaterial secured in said cylindrical portion, a conductlve cap ofsubstantially conical form having a greater included angle than theconical portion of said housing and depending within said housing, and ac lindrical portion adapted to fit within said insulating ring and anannular flange adapted to seat on said ring the base of the cap coneconnecting with the cylindrical portion by a section of toroidal formand of a radius substantially equal to the radius of the ball, formingthereby a. raceway to retain bridging contact of the ball between thehousing and the cap and terminals for said housing and for saidcap.

2. In combination with a switch having an outer conical contact member;and inner conical contact member having a toroidal raceway inball-cooperative relation to the outer contact member, said contactmembers being insulated one from the other, the inner contact memberhaving a greater included angle than the outer contact member wherebythe ball is retained in bridging contact between the members during anyrollin action other than in a direction toward righting thereof with theconical members in inverted position.

In testimony whereof I have afiixed my signature.

RALPH C. BIGELOW.

